Cedar Rapids IA vs West Palm Beach FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Cedar Rapids, IA

Iowa · Population: 136,859

  • Median HH Income$67,859
  • Median Home Price$210,271
  • Unemployment3.9%
  • Bachelor's+32.9%

West Palm Beach, FL

Florida · Population: 119,508

  • Median HH Income$69,261
  • Median Home Price$399,650
  • Unemployment5.4%
  • Bachelor's+37.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
50.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
1453

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in West Palm Beach. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.

Compare More Cities

About Cedar Rapids & West Palm Beach